FL Sheriff to Constituents: Conceal Carry to Stop Terrorist Attacks

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey posted a video encouraging his constituents to conceal carry to help thwart future terrorist attacks. Citing the recent attacks in the United Kingdom and the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, a year ago today, the sheriff–who covers Florida’s Space Coast–believes more responsible and armed citizens can help police officers neutralize dangerous situations.

In the six-minute video, Ivey called himself the “most politically incorrect sheriff in the country” out there. He said the “run, hide and draw a line in the sand” strategy will leave people defenseless and more prone to attack.

“This is war, and you better be prepared to wage war to protect, your family, and those around you if attacked,” Ivey said.

The sheriff added, “No matter who you are or what’s your position on guns, there’s no denying the fact that the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun or a knife, is an armed and well-prepared citizen or law enforcement officer.”

Citing how precious life-and-death is surrounding arrival times, he said it’s up to these responsible citizens to help neutralize the threat until police arrive at the scene.

“As a society and a community, we can no longer wait for the attack to happen and develop our survival strategy, ” he said. “If you have a concealed carry permit, then carry your gun with you at all times possible.”

Unsurprisingly, some near the sheriff’s home turf have tried to delegitimize the claim that “good guys with guns stop bad guys with guns.” One Orlando Weekly columnist wrote:

“Unfortunately for Ivey, there’s just no proof supporting his theory that more guns makes society safer, let alone from from mass shootings or terrorist attacks.”

The mistake authors like this make is lumping criminal gun activity with law-abiding gun owners, which undermines journalistic integrity. Secondly, he only cites groups or “experts” who beat the anti-gun violence drum but line their coffers with gun control lobby money. And worse of all, most major news outlets ignore or erase “good guys and gals with guns” stories because it completely defeats their narrative. Sad.

For added context: Sheriff Ivey was first elected to his post in 2012. He endorsed then-candidate Donald Trump back in September 2016.

I think Sheriff Ivey was in the right making this video. He encouraged responsible gun ownership and citizens to help neutralize or diffuse tense situations, not take full law enforcement matters into their own hands. Let’s hope more members of law enforcement encourage the safe and responsible handling of firearms!